Saint Paul - In response to the Governor's announcement that an agreement had been reached to build a people's stadium on the current Metrodome site, organizations representing working Minnesotans from across the state weighed in with their support for the plan which will put thousands of Minnesotans back to work.

Harry Melander, President of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council said, "Today's announcement is a huge step towards putting thousands of unemployed Minnesotans back to work. With Minnesotans in the construction industry facing high unemployment rates, building a people's stadium will create jobs for those who need them most."

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson also weighed in on the plan. "Getting Minnesotans back to work in the construction sector is one of the final steps to completing our economic recovery; and building a People's Stadium will go a long way toward doing just that," she said. "Not only will this project put thousands of Minnesotans back to work, it will have an economic multiplier effect that will benefit communities throughout our state. We applaud Governor Dayton's leadership in making this job creating project a reality."

The Vikings stadium project will have a positive impact on the region both long-term and short term. Investing in the improvements puts Minnesotans to work and gets money circulating - stimulating demand, growth and a virtuous cycle of shared economic prosperity, added Glen Johnson, Business Manager for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49.

"The Carpenters' Union is really excited about this proposal," said John Raines, executive secretary-treasurer for the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters. "A new Vikings stadium will create thousands of construction jobs for our workers, as well as ancillary jobs for people throughout Minnesota. We thank Governor Dayton and the Legislature for their hard work on this project, and we hope to see a bill passed during this Legislative session."